Colombian Culture, Colombia Adoption and Raising Colombian Kids

ICBF (as of a couple of years ago) requires that Casas Privadas or Instituciones Autorizadas (as they are called in Colombia) list, on the ICBF website, the prices that they charge people in order to pursue an adoption. Yesterday, the latesest list was posted. There are two columns for each Casa. The first is what they charge in Colombian Pesos to Colombian families. Colombian families are required to go through workshops and training, as well as receive a homestudy through the Casa. They must pay fees to the Casa for this service. If, however, the Colombian family chooses to adopt through ICBF, the service of training and homestudy is FREE. Unlike here, if a family receives training from ICBF the Casas do not accept it. Therefore, a paid training is the only option if a Colombian family wishes to adopt from a Casa Privada. Additionally, while the training with ICBF is free, so is the adoption process. The only fees a Colombian family must pay are to a private attorney (typica

Being a Reciclador in Colombia is synonymous with what we here in the States might call being a "Dumpster Diver," "Garbage Picker" or "Scavenger." Recyclers in Colombia participate in an informal economy, combing the streets, garbage cans, dumpsters, and garbage dumps for recyclable material to then transport to either middle men or the actual recycling center. Wood, metal, aluminum, cardboard, and plastic are all fair game. Recyclers often also find treasures that they try to repair or repurpose. Recicladores are among the poorest and most marginalized people in Colombia. They are often seen driving horse or mule drawn wagons called -- ZORRAS (pronounced SOR RAS) -- see picture above. Photos by: Eduardo Zarate http://www.flickr.com/photos/eduardozarate/3512704623/

This is Ash Wednesday (Miercoles de Ceniza). It marks the beginning of Lent (Cuaresma). In Colombia, a primarily Catholic country, it is not uncommon to see thousands of people sporting a cross made of ash on their foreheads. It is placed there during a special service at the local Parrish. This was something I had never seen before. Granted, I had known very few Catholics in my lifetime -- only my next door neighbors growing up -- however, they had never worn these outward manifestations of inward commitment. For me, during my first visit to Colombia, this was a unique cultural experience. I have since seen this in the US, but I will always associate it with Colombia if for no other reason than the number of people I saw wearing the mark of CENIZA. It was amazing. Photo Credit -- Flickr Creative Commons: Rudy A. Giron http://www.flickr.com/photos/antiguadailyphoto/3310929196/ Rudy Girón/http://antiguadailyphoto.com/contact-the-author/

Have you ever wondered what a Colombian Foster Mother is paid each month? I have, and guess what they are getting a raise. This week ICBF announced that their 5, 429 foster mothers, who were not paid anything for their labor (just a small subsidy to pay for the child's needs), will be paid the grand amount of $40,000 -$50,000 pesos -- this is about US$20 a month for their work. Definitely a labor of love and not a money making venture!

Colombian officials have a new form for you to use when requesting to adopt from ICBF. Here is a link to the form https://www.icbf.gov.co/icbf/directorio/portel/libreria/pdf/FormularioSolicituddeAdopcionenColombiaFebrero13de2012.pdf

GOOD NEWS!!! There was a new wait list posted today, February 13, 2011. Remember, the ICBF Wait List applies to adoptions through ICBF only -- not through CASAS PRIVADAS. It also ONLY APPLIES TO NON-COLOMBIAN FAMILIES. It DOES NOT reflect special needs children. The definition of special needs are children with disabilities, children over 8 years of age, and sibling groups of 3 or more. The dates that have moved are in BOLD. Also, this list only reflects that there are no more dossiers at the national office prior to the date shown. Dossiers from before January 2008 in the 0-23 months category, for example, may still need a referral, but they have already been sent to a region and are no longer waiting at the national office. Age of Child ------- Date of Application Approval by ICBF Child 0-12 months ------ Jan - 2008 Child 13 - 23 months ---- Jan - 2008 Child 2 - 3 years -------- May - 2007 Child 2 years ----------- Feb - 2008 Child 3 years ----------- Feb - 2008 Child 3 - 4 years ---

Ok, I so wish this was in English, but even if you cannot understand all the words, you can understand that when children find a family there is joy.

GOOD NEWS!!! There was a new wait list posted today, November 24, 2011. I hope that this is a sign that we will be getting a new wait list more often, but I will not hold my breath. For now, there has not been much movement, however for those waiting for slightly older children there has been some movement in the SIBLINGS category. Remember, the ICBF Wait List applies to adoptions through ICBF only -- not through CASAS PRIVADAS. It also ONLY APPLIES TO NON-COLOMBIAN FAMILIES. It DOES NOT reflect special needs children. The definition of special needs are children with disabilities, children over 8 years of age, and sibling groups of 3 or more. EVERY CATEGORY HAS ADVANCED THIS TIME!!! The dates that have moved are in BOLD. Also, this list only reflects that there are no more dossiers at the national office prior to the date shown. Dossiers from before December 2007 in the 0-23 months category, for example, may still need a referral, but they have already been sent to a region and are no

I was sent this link to an ICBF -- Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar -- (Colombian Institute for Family Welfare) -- video in English. It explains all of the missions of ICBF. It is not just about adoption.